How to improve results by using the post-harvest protocol

Transcription

1 Quality improvement of East African roses How to improve results by using the post-harvest protocol Green Farming Post-harvest Protocol Optimizing post-harvest management in East African horticulture

2 The link between Dutch and East African horticulture Green Farming is a Dutch programme that unites horticultural networks in the Netherlands, Kenya and Ethiopia. This is achieved by setting up joint activities, projects and co-operations in the areas of research, development and production. All Green Farming activities are related to one or more of the five main themes of the programme: Water management Crop management Climate and energy Post-harvest and logistics Research and knowledge exchange Who is involved? The Green Farming consortium consists of over 25 leading Dutch companies in horticulture technology. Wageningen University and Research Centre supports the programme and is actively involved at the level of research and knowledge exchange. Green Farming is coordinated by AVAG, the representative of joint Dutch horticultural suppliers, and by DLV Plant, active as an advisory company in the international agribusiness. The Dutch Ministry for International Trade and Development Cooperation supports the programme in close cooperation with the Dutch Embassies in Nairobi and Addis Ababa. What are the activities? Green Farming organizes a broad spectrum of activities, both at business-to-business and government-to-government levels. The business-to-business activities include: Market studies and sector reviews Exhibition visits and participation Trade missions Matchmaking Seminars Demonstration projects Green Farming sets up various demonstration projects together with local businesses and knowledge institutions to show which technologies, products, knowledge and services are available and how these can be applied to the local situation. The results in terms of production levels, efficiency of input use, production costs and revenues are shared with the sector via open days, professional journals and reports. 2 3

3 Table of contents Improving post-harvest quality of East African roses 6 Post-harvest protocol 8 Step 1: Initial flower quality 4 8 Step 2: Water quality, hygiene standards and post-harvest treatment 12 Step 3: Post-harvest quality management 14 Local partners 20 Dutch partners 21 5

4 Dutch partners develop protocol Improving post-harvest quality of East African roses The major part of the East African flower export is shipped to long-distance destinations, like Northern Europe and Russia. For long-distance shipments the initial quality of the flower and the quality of the post-harvest chain are tremendously important. The ultimate flower quality can be defined as the product of those two aspects. For many flower producers in East Africa the post-harvest phase is an area where great gains can be made. This was the reason Green Farming members FloraHolland, FloraLife and DLV Plant developed a protocol for the post-harvest handling of roses. The main objective of the protocol is to improve the vase life of roses by optimizing all components of the post-harvest phase. In order to achieve higher profits and deliver a high-quality product to consumers, it is important that all aspects of the post-harvest handling phase are optimized. By following a post-harvest protocol, the farm should be able to implement best practices more easily. Tested in practice During the second half of 2012 and the first half of 2013, the Post-harvest Protocol was developed in close cooperation with a selection of rose farms in Ethiopia (see section local partners). Based on a zero assessment of the current situation and practices at four farms spread throughout the Ethiopian production region, action plans were defined for each participating farm. During a trial period, the given advice was followed by the growers. Continuous quality check loops were carried out on post-harvest procedures on the farm, and on visual product quality and vase life upon arrival in the Netherlands (see for the results the section project results). The results were used as an input for the Post-harvest Protocol. Tested aspects The protocol includes several important aspects for flower growers. Such as: Starting quality, based on soil and water parameters in the growing medium. Crop protection management, focussing on prevention of botrytis development and taking residue levels into account. Flower care and handling during harvesting, storage, grading and bunching. Use of packaging and bunching materials, including rubber bands, plastic sheets and carton boxes. The importance of the on-farm cold chain during harvesting, storage, processing, packing, as well as the transport cold chain up to arrival at the handling agent. How to use services such as soil and water sample analyses, quality feedback from receivers at the Dutch auctions, farm audits, vase life testing and cold chain monitoring to improve the product quality. The protocol takes into account the three major components that determine the vase life at the consumers: 1. Initial flower quality; the initial conditions of the flowers at the moment they are harvested. 2. Water quality, hygiene standards and post-harvest treatment. 3. Post-harvest quality management, including post-harvest handling and cold chain management. The different components in the post-harvest phase are presented in this brochure by the individual project partners. DLV Plant addresses the initial flower quality, FloraLife the post-harvest treatment, water quality and hygiene, and FloraHolland the post-harvest handling and cold chain, feedback on vase life and visual quality. Meaning of the Post-harvest Protocol The Post-harvest Protocol shows how farms can implement best practices in post-harvest management. By optimizing the important aspects in the post-harvest phase at the farm, flowers can be shipped with the expectation of good quality and sufficient vase life upon arrival. The protocol combines the expertise of Green Farming partners DLV Plant, FloraLife and FloraHolland. This makes it possible to offer integrated solutions. It is a unique approach in which all factors that matter in postharvest, from the initial flower quality just before harvesting to receiving the flower at the market, are included. The Green Farming partners hope that the protocol will be useful to African farms in increasing product quality and, by doing so, generating more income. The partners can always be contacted for supporting advice. 6 7

5 Post-harvest Protocol Step 1: Initial flower quality A pre-requisite for good quality cut roses is a healthy and vigorous rose plant. Creating favourable growing conditions in the greenhouse is key to producing healthy and strong roses. Important factors are irrigation and fertilization management, crop protection and cutting strategy. Irrigation and fertilization management The main focus of irrigation and fertilization management is to bring and keep the EC levels (electronic conductivity), ph levels (acidity) and amounts of macro and micro nutrients within the optimum ranges and provide the crop with the required amounts of water. This means a combination of the optimum irrigation strategy and optimal fertilization regime. Based on soil and water analyses from a professional lab and the correct interpretation of the results, the optimal fertigation schemes can be calculated. Soil and water analyses Soil analysis is performed to examine the presence of macro and micro elements and their balance. Two methods can be used for soil analysis: the 1:2 extraction the Spurway analysis The Spurway analysis is recommended over the 1:2 extraction as the Spurway analysis provides information on which elements are directly available for uptake by the plant. Water analysis should be done for: source water (borehole, river or lake water) irrigation water from the drip lines drain water Source water analysis shows the quality of the water used. High levels of suspended materials (like soil particles), algae and microbes, cause clogging and damage to the irrigation system. High levels of certain nutrients like bicarbonates, fluoride or sodium, will adversely affect the chemical composition of irrigation water. Water analysis reports show which quality parameters need to be improved. Crop advisors can provide solutions for water quality issues. Drip water analysis is done to test if the plants receive the correct fertigation. Deviations between fertigation settings and actual supply indicate problems in the fertigation system. Drain water analysis is used to optimize the fertigation regime as it shows the uptake of water and nutrients, reflecting the needs of the plant. In soil cultivation, a drain pit should be dug in the beds so that drain water samples can be collected. A soil analysis should be done at least every second month, but preferably every month. For water analysis once a month is recommended. On the farm the ph and EC of drain water can be monitored with a handheld sensor once or twice per week for soil cultivation, and preferably every day for hydroponics. The optimal ph level for a rose plant lies between 5.8 and 6.8 in soil cultivation and between 6.2 and 6.4 as measured in hydroponic drain water. Fertilization regimes A standard fertigation regime for soil-based rose growing in East Africa is presented in the table below. Standard fertigation regime for rose in soil (mmol per litre for macro elements and in µmol per litre for micro-elements) Macro Elements NH4 K N tot Ca Mg NO3 SO4 P Urea Micro Elements Fe Mn Zn B Cu Mo EC Be sure enough fertilizers and crop protection products are kept in stock for every growing season Optimal ph range for uptake elements ph Nitrates Potassium Aluminium Phosphates Iron Magnesium Sulfur Manganese Molybdenum Zinc Copper Boron 8 9

6 Optimal EC levels are listed in the table below. The ph and EC sensors need to be calibrated every two weeks. For calculation of fertigation regimes a crop advisor can be contacted. Optimal EC levels Hydroponic Season Soil Season Dry (µs/cm) Rain (µs/cm) Dry (µs/cm) Rain (µs/cm) Drip water Drip water Drain water Soil Crop protection Several diseases, like botrytis, downey mildew and powdery mildew, can adversely affect rose production. Particularly the prevention of botrytis development will have a positive effect on the vase-life of roses. Proper ventilation and keeping an open plant structure reduces the chance of botrytis development. Cutting out short stems and undercutting in the rainy season keeps the crop more open. A positive side-effect of undercutting in the rainy season is that thicker shoots grow back. A right fertigation regime will reduce the probability of botrytis development. By reducing the available amount of water for the plant and creating a higher drip EC, the plant will grow slightly slower but it becomes more vigorous. Fungal spores will have more difficulty to germinate onto the leaves. A well-developed root system will make the rose plant less susceptible to diseases. Positive effects on root development are noted from the application of biological plant-enhancing products such as Trichoderma harzianum. Application will promote the development of micro organisms that help the plant become less susceptible to infections. Hygiene demands particular attention. Botrytis can easily live on and spread from dead organic material. Plant waste should be removed from the greenhouse regularly, especially during the rainy season. Fungicides Even when proper preventive measures are taken, botrytis can still occur and curative actions need to be taken. Suitable crop-protection products against botrytis are Rovral (active ingredient: Iprodion), Scala (a.i. Pyrimethanil), Teldor (a.i. Fenhexamid) and Switch (a.i. Cyprodonil+ Fludioxonil). In strongly affected crops, the application of Switch is preferred. The products should be applied in an alternating scheme to prevent build-up of resistance of the fungi to the fungicides. Spray every five days. Prepare a spraying programme taking the afore-mentioned into account. Always carry out a spraying trial when a product is used for the first time, or contact a crop protection advisor. Prepare a spraying programme based on an alternating scheme of fungicides and spray every five days. Spraying techniques The effectiveness of spraying fungicides greatly depends on the spraying technique and the type of nozzle used to apply the fungicide. Apply the fungicide evenly both on and under the leaves. To achieve an even spraying pattern: Work with a spray lance with a well-functioning valve. Make sure there are no leaks in the hose and spray lance. Make sure the spray line is well flushed. Choose an appropriate spray nozzle which can release 3,000 litres per hectare. An Albuz CVI 110 nozzle (yellow or green) or a Conejet TXA nozzle (yellow or green) are appropriate nozzles to spray against botrytis. Check the leaf coverage of the nozzles with every spraying by checking both sides of sprayed leaves. Apply full-crop spraying: while walking backwards, move the lance from a downward position upwards, move across the top leaves and turn downwards, take one or two steps backwards and repeat. Switch from using a spray lance to a spray trolley on a regular basis to gain optimal coverage. Make sure to work at a steady pace, and with smooth movements. Cutting strategy Botrytis can easily spread during rose harvesting. A hygienic way of working and proper handling of the stems after cutting will limit the risks of botrytis infections. An appropriate cutting strategy involves: Always using sharp scissors. Making a clear, horizontal cut. Cutting the flowers at the cut stage requested by the client. Disinfecting scissors thoroughly every day with chlorine or Menno Clean. Cutting at proper height (0.5-1 cm above the eye). Making bunches that are not too big for moving the roses out of the greenhouse. Carrying the roses properly: hold a bunch at the base of the stems and heave roses just over the shoulder. Putting cut roses in water within 10 minutes of harvesting

7 Post-harvest Protocol Step 2: Water quality, hygiene standards and post-harvest treatment A proper post-harvest treatment should be standard practice at every rose farm. For optimum care it is important to consider water quality, hygiene and other post-harvest treatments. Water quality Flowers, typically roses, are very sensitive to the quality of the water that is used post-harvest. The water quality has a huge influence on the remaining life span of the roses and also determines the effect of the post-harvest product used. Water samples should be taken regularly and be sent to a local lab. A water sample report contains a chemical analysis of the water, as well as an explanation of the key parameters: ph, alkalinity, conductivity and TDS. ph ph (or potential of hydrogen) is measured on a scale of Flower food is most effective within the ph range of It is important to keep the ph level within the optimum range as a change of one ph unit means a tenfold increase or decrease in the acidity of the solution. Alkalinity Alkalinity values are used to measure the water s ability to buffer acids when they are added: the higher the value, the higher the buffering capacity. Alkalinity does not refer to the ph but to the ability of water to resist change in ph. Values below 60 ppm reflect the level of pure water. When the alkalinity is more than 350 ppm it is better to purify the water. Conductivity and TDS Conductivity is the ability of the water to conduct electricity. From conductivity measurements the total dissolved solids (TDS) can be calculated, which indicates the sum of the anions and cations in the water. TDS becomes critical when concentration is more than 600 ppm. In that case it is better to purify the water. In order to improve the water quality: The water should be tested regularly (minimum 4x per year) and analyzed by an independent laboratory. A water purification system should be implemented to achieve acceptable water quality (i.e. reversed osmosis) if the water quality is insufficient. Post-harvest treatment should be adjusted if needed, based upon the water analysis. A rule of thumb: the quality of the water for the flowers must be so good that you would drink it. Hygiene Good and clean water is important as a starter, but keeping it so is another important part of successful post-harvest treatment. It is essential to implement a hygiene protocol, including: A bucket-washing procedure using a detergent (i.e. professional cleaner). Racking to dry buckets before stacking and reuse. Regular bacteria checks of buckets using bacteria paddle testers. Working cleanly throughout the entire production, including protocol for cleaning knives, scissors, production lines, etc. Using a professional (stable) post-harvest product. Using cold water (optimal 5 to 10 C). Cold water will contaminate slower and supports the cooling of flowers. Training of staff and clear explanation of the Hygiene Protocol is of utmost importance. It will lead to better understanding and more colleague involvement. General hygiene Greenhouses and surroundings, grading halls and cold store should be kept dry and free from plant litter. Cold stores should be cleaned and disinfected every week. Buckets should be visually clean and cleaned with a commercially available bucket cleaner on a daily basis. Checking of bacteria on a regular basis is recommended and action should be taken when required by using the recommended products. Appoint a person responsible for general hygiene who can check all hygiene issues on the farm. From greenhouse to departure from the farm, cleanliness and tidiness help prevent hygiene problems. Post-harvest treatment Post-harvest treatment is a multiple-step process. In the greenhouse, just after the cutting, a rose needs a different post-harvest product than when stored after grading and before shipment. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the roses for botrytis and ethylene should be considered. A professional post-harvest product should be used, determined by the crop that is grown. It is important to measure parameters such as the ph and bacteria level in the used solution daily. These parameters will determine the re-use frequency and the efficacy of the post-harvest product throughout the life of the roses. Adjust post-harvest products if necessary. Use professional products only; consider water saving and product use reductions. Adjust treatment to local water quality. Choose specific treatments for hydration, feeding and prevention of botrytis and ethylene issues. And in general: Confirm your quality and total flower life with flower life trials throughout the year. Train post-harvest supervisors and colleagues on accurate knowledge and practices. For optimum post-harvest management consult a post-harvest treatment advisor regularly

8 Post-harvest Protocol Step 3: Post-harvest quality management A quality management system is a valuable tool for farms. It should be implemented to achieve and retain consistency in quality. The FloraHolland management system consists of quality control, quality assurance and quality improvement. Quality control focuses on the process output from flower cutting to unpacking at the receiver. Quality assurance gives feedback loops for error prevention. By maintaining this loop, quality will improve. The FloraHolland quality control system captures several parts of steps 1 and 2. In total, the system contains the following elements: Damage on flowers Handling roses with care prevents damage: A close look at all harvest and post-harvest processes brings up the critical points where flowers get damaged and solves them. Touching flowers at the buds, peeling flowers and careless handling should be banned from all handling processes. Harvesting nets, foam, smooth table surfaces and careful handling in all processes will produce flowers without damage. Check on a regular basis if the process still passes without potential damage causers. Discuss with your post-harvest consultant and follow up. Cutting stage Cutting stage should be uniform and linked to client demands. At the optimal cut stage (VBN 2) the bud size and opening capacity of the flower will be at its best and sensitivity to damage at its lowest. The cut stage has to be determined per rose variety and explained to the harvesters. Support this by providing picture material. The knowledge of the harvesters should be checked on a daily or weekly basis, depending on their experience. Post-harvest solution In step 2 the important parameters relating to water quality, hygiene standards and post-harvest treatment have been highlighted. In short, the water should be visually clean and checks should be carried out on a daily basis. Water quality should be measured by an external laboratory, with a minimum of 4 x per year. Water temperature should be low. Optimal would be 5-10 C. The flower temperature can already be brought down in the greenhouse by using cold water. Provide thermometers to check water temperatures on a daily basis or ask a post-harvest consultant for support. Commercially-available post-harvest solutions provide exact dosage instructions. Different products have different agents with different effects and working instructions. Commercially-available products have proven to give better post-harvest results than home-made products. A checking procedure should be set up for preparing the post-harvest solution. Are all instruments working properly, is everybody using the right tools? Post-harvest time and temperatures The limiting factors for the life of a cut rose after harvest are time and temperature. The product of time and temperature is called the temperature sum (expressed as degree-hours or degree-days). For the post-harvest process it only means that temperatures should always be as low as possible and the process as quick as possible. The optimal storage temperature for roses is C. Check all processes for possibilities to improve the cold chain weather in time or temperature. Receiving cold stores are often kept at a temperature of 10 C. This seems to be a good compromise between the optimal temperature and the fact that doors are opening frequently. Try to reduce door-opening frequency to a minimum without leaving flowers waiting in the warmer outside conditions for too long. Seasonal changes in your process may be advisable due to weather conditions. Together with a post-harvest consultant you can look for a good compromise. It is also valuable to give mandate for cold store audits. Post-harvest consultants can help to optimize the cold chain. A checking procedure should be set up. Check temperatures with a thermometer on a weekly basis. Grading, bunching, cutting and quality control Grading halls are not chilled most of the time. As described before, time is the most important issue in this situation. Try to have flowers processed within half an hour, measured from leaving the receiving cold store until entering the final cold store. Tools like cutting devices, de-leafing rakes, tables and grading devices should be clean and checked for cleanliness on a daily basis. Try to collect litter at the moment it occurs. Throw litter in litter-collection buckets or barrels immediately. This avoids cleaning work afterwards and helps to have better hygiene. Check cutting devices for sharpness on a daily basis. The responsible person should be taught to sharpen or to replace knifes. Prior to packing the boxes, flowers should be cooled down again, preferably to 2 C. Pack flowers into boxes at an ambient temperature of 2 C. Stack boxes with space between them to provide airflow. The best box material available on the market should be used for roses. Cardboard quality is often poor, as are straps and staples. Teach the responsible person to use straps and staples in the right way. Avoid damage by using excellent packing materials and pack rates. Optimum pack rates 14 15

9 depend on variety, stem length and bud size. These issues should be discussed with the post-harvest consultant or import handling agent. Try to get as much feedback as possible about the product quality by conducting vase-life tests after transport, quality feedback after transport and cold chain monitoring by using data loggers or temperature indicators. To set up all control-loops it is preferable to work together with a post-harvest consultant. Procedures need to be checked by someone who can view the processes with fresh eyes on a regular basis (e.g. once every 3 months). Employees working in the company get used to processes even when they are not right. After working like this for a while, flaws will no longer be noticed. Most important when setting up a control-loop is to point out the person s responsibility. To be consistent in quality and volumes makes you a reliable partner In the supply chain. Example of using the Quality Management System at one of the farms November 2012 March 2013 Bent stems Bunching Cut stage Damage Diseases Packing April 2012 July 2013 Bent stems Bunching Cut stage Damage Diseases Packing Residue Residue Uniformity Uniformity Temperature Temperature Example of using the Quality Management System at one of the farms Improved / Not improved Bent stems Bunching Cut stage Damage Diseases Packing Residue Uniformity Temperature Audit/ repeated visit of consultant Vaselife test Audit/ repeated visit of consultant Vaselife test Audit/ repeated visit of consultant Vaselife test Improvements in process or on the farm Feedback of results 1. Quality control is focused on process outputs. Quality check Feedback of results Cold chain monitoring 2. Quality assurance gives feedback loops for error prevention. Quality check Cold chain monitoring Improvements in process or on the farm Improvements in process or on the farm Feedback of results 3. Improvement Cold chain monitoring Quality check Using the Quality Management System In the FloraHolland Quality Management System quality checks are conducted on a monthly basis. A complete set of quality issues are judged on a scale from very good to very bad. This scale is based on the VBN product specification for roses. Also vase life is checked every month. Quality checks To make everything visual, colours are used to describe the quality: Very poor (red) Not sufficient (orange) Improvement needed (yellow) Ok (dark green) Very good (light green) For the result (improved/not improved), the colour codes are: Improved (green) No changes (blue) Worse (red) To evaluate improvements in quality performance, a start-up period and several moments of evaluation are usually defined. Farms receive summaries of the quality checks including the degree of improvement made. Structural improvement means that a constant level of performance is reached

10 By conducting a monthly loop of quality feedback, vase-life testing and farm-visit quality issues remain priorities in everyone s mind. Growers who use post-harvest services have the opportunity to improve quality and achieve higher market shares as well as prices. Vase-life testing Some customers ask for vase-life guarantees. By vase-life testing, growers gain insight into which varieties perform well. Poor vase-life performance should be solved by finding the reason (cold chain, variety, post-harvest treatment). Selection of varieties can be based on vase-life performance. Growers or varieties can be benchmarked on vase-life performance. Examples of vase-life test results Varieties tested Varieties tested multiple times No. of varieties - improved No. of varieties - worse No. of varieties - no changes Farm A Farm B Farm C Farm D Average days of vase-life Average flower opening 2.9* No. of varieties with poor performance (less than 8 days) 3** No. of varieties performing 8 days vase-life guarantee 5** * Good flower opening start from stage 3,3 ** Vase-life performance is judged good from 8 days on 19

11 Local partners Dutch partners Green Farming partners in Post-harvest Protocol The local partners that participated in the trial period in Ethiopia are Dugda Flora, Tinaw, Tana Flora and Ziway Roses. The farms are located throughout Ethiopia s horticultural production region. Due to the wide range of locations, different challenges came up with each farm and a variety of conditions were included in the trials. Dugda Flora is located in DebreZeyt at around 1850 to 1900 masl and grows 12 varieties of roses in 22 ha of greenhouses. Tinaw is located in Wolkite at an elevation of 1950 to 2000 masl and has 16 ha of roses with 9 different varieties in production. Tana Flora can be found near Bahir Dar at 1850 masl and consists of 20 ha of rose production. The farm exports around 95,000 roses of 13 different varieties to FloraHolland in the Netherlands daily. Ziway Roses is located at the Sher Ethiopia complex at Lake Ziway which lies at 1600 masl. The farm grows 15 rose varieties on 42 ha which are all supplied to FloraHolland. On average, the production volume is 2 million stems per week. All farms together are producing 41 varieties of cut roses on about 80 ha for the northern European market. Production areas of the different varieties differ widely. The rose varieties Red Calypso, Aspen, Red Ribbon, Belle Rose and Mariyo! are grown in the largest volumes and thus were the most important varieties included in the trials. DLV Plant DLV Plant is a leading, independent international advisory and research partner for the agricultural and horticultural sectors. Its activities are aimed at advice, research and projects in the Netherlands and abroad. More than 175 knowledge-driven consultants are working worldwide. DLV Plant has offices in Africa, Latin America and Europe and has a strong network within the agricultural, horticultural and affiliated sectors. Activities East Africa DLV Plant has set up a specialist team for East Africa to support the development of the horticultural sector. Core business is advising companies on crop cultivation and supporting them in realizing their business objectives. The experience of the DLV Plant advisors with local cultivation conditions combined with their high-technology knowledge background enables them to identify the best technical solutions to improve business performances at farm level. Besides cultivation advice, the team provides support in development, financing and implementation of projects on horticultural technologies, sustainable energy and management. Role in the project DLV Plant focused on the starting conditions of a rose stem, based on the cultivation in the greenhouse. Optimizing these conditions is the key factor in giving harvested roses a good start on their way to the consumers. The most important points are irrigation, the application of fertilizers, crop protection management and the handling of the flowers. DLV Plant advised on the best fertigation regime based on soil sample analysis and on crop protection management, such as spraying techniques, equipment, integrated pest management and strategy of cutting at harvesting so that the crop develops well. Advice on chemical use could be linked to leaf analysis of residue levels. DLV Plant is also the coordinator of the Green Farming programme. Contact information Francis Hoogerwerf, Senior Project Manager East Africa Agro Business Park 65, Wageningen P.O. Box CA Wageningen The Netherlands T +31 (0) F +31 (0) info@dlvplant.nl M +254 (0) (KE) M (0) (ET) f.hoogerwerf@dlvplant.nl Green Farming partners in Post-harvest Protocol 20 21

12 Dutch partners Green Farming partners in Post-harvest Protocol FloraHolland FloraHolland: gateway to world trade The centre of the world s flower and plant trade lies in the Netherlands. Suppliers and buyers from all over the world have access to the global market for flowers and plants through auction and the intermediary service of FloraHolland. FloraHolland facilitates trade and logistics and brings together an extremely rich and multi-colored international assortment of flowers and plants. Activities East Africa FloraHolland offers services to its international suppliers through local offices situated in Kenya, Israel, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Colombia and Spain. These services include providing a local point of contact, visits to the nursery, marketing guidance and quality control for shipping. Role in the project FloraHolland has developed a quality-management system for the post-harvest phase of rose production that is used in the project. It focuses on post-harvest handling and conditions from cutting the roses to arrival in the Netherlands. During the project FloraHolland has pointed out bottlenecks in handling, hygiene, usage of tools, packaging material, pack rates, cold chain. By testing the consumer vase life and checking on visual product quality, feed-back loops were given to the grower. Regular farm visits were made to check on processes and help to implement improvements. FloraHolland also had a role in the project coordination and in reporting the combined results of DLV Plant, FloraLife and FloraHolland to the growers. Contact information The Netherlands FloraHolland the Netherlands Legmeerdijk 313, Aalsmeer P.O. Box BA Aalsmeer The Netherlands T +31 (0) aalsmeer@floraholland.nl Ethiopia FloraHolland Consultancy Services PLC PO Box 3002 code 1250 Addis Ababa - Ethiopia T /69 M jaspherveldkamp@floraholland.nl Kenya FloraHolland Services (K) Ltd PO Box Nairobi, Kenya T / fhservices@floraholland.ke.co Oasis FloraLife Central Europe Oasis FloraLife Central Europe, with offices in Germany, England and the Netherlands, services the market with post-harvest products and related customers services. FloraLife provides the products needed at every level of the distribution chain, in Europe and in Africa. Activities East Africa FloraLife Africa Ltd is situated at the airport in Nairobi, Kenya and services the African (flower) growers with post-harvest products and related services. FloraLife Africa is committed to increasing knowledge at individual farms in the area of post-harvest care and handling by educating colleagues, demonstrations and trials. The FloraLife Africa Laboratory provides additional services to the needs of the individual FloraLife customer. Role in the project As initiator of the Post-harvest Project, FloraLife has played an important role in the project. FloraLife has been responsible for reviewing the variability in water quality within the different regions in Ethiopia, as well as mapping the currently used post-harvest products, and the efficacy of these in the various water types. FloraLife reviewed the hygiene standards at each farm and gave recommendations for improvements. FloraLife has also set up trials using the FloraLife professional postharvest product line. The trials demonstrate that these products will help improve hygiene standards and give better care and handling on the rose farms, enabling rose farms to achieve an overall better flower life. Contact information Oasis FloraLife Central Europe GmbH Arjen de Haan, Technical Manager Oasis FloraLife Central Europe GmbH Nobelstraat 16 BU6, s-gravenzande The Netherlands T +31 (0) F +31 (0) info@floralife.eu Green Farming partners in Post-harvest Protocol 22 23

13 Partners for Perfect Solutions Contact information Green Farming Francis Hoogerwerf T +31(0) M +254 (0) (KE) M +251 (0) (ET) This brochure is presented to you by: info@greenfarming.nl August 2013